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1922 

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ove's Fireside 
Lyrics 








CQESORIGHT DEPOSm 



LOVE'S FIRESIDE LYRICS 



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Love's Fireside 
Lyrics 

By 

GEORGE M. IVERSON 



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1922 

THE STRATFORD COMPANY 

Publishers 
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS 



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■V"!';'' 



Copyright, 1922 

The STRATFORD CO., Publishers 

Boston, Mass. 



The Alpine Press, Boston, Mass., U. S. A. 



SEP -5 1922 

©C1.A686008 



Contents 






Page 


To . . ... 


. 1 


Beautiful Annie . 


. 2 


A Soul's Departure . . . . 


. 4 


A Song of the Lark . . . . 


. 7 


Forsaken 


. 9 


Love Affairs . . . . • 


. 12 


John and Me 


. 15 


To the Rain, the Welcome Rain . 


. 16 


Impressions 


. 17 


Annie Marie 


. 19 


My Soul, Oh, My Soul . 


. 21 


Around Life's Corner . 


. 22 


Simple Confession .... 


. 24 


Once Upon a Time . . . . 


. 25 


The Queenly Dead 


.27 


Longing (The First Poem) . 


. 28 


Longing (The Second Poem) 


. 29 



CONTENTS 



Longing (The Third Poem) 

The Bird's Nest . 

Whither Thou Goest 

To Hazel 

To Annie 

Love's Deserted Castle 

To the Flowers of May 

To a Dying Bluebird 

To a Little Mother 

Blinda . 

The Wreck . 

A Word, a Smile ! . 

That Old Sweetheart of Mine 

To 

In Search of Quiet 
The Sinner's Prayer 
Her Letter 

To . 

To the Water-fall . 

Memories 

A Day in December 

To My Friend 



Page 
. 31 
. 33 
. 34 
. 35 
. 36 
. 37 
. 39 
. 41 
. 42 
. 43 
. 44 
. 45 
. 46 
. 48 
. 49 
. 50 
. 52 
. 54 
. 55 
. 58 
. 60 
. 61 



CONTENTS 



Come Gentle Spirit 

Yesterday 

The Pathless Woods 

The Fairy Ship 

For All Eternity . 

A Dream 

To My Friend (Mrs. A, 

My Haunted Castle 

Just Be Cheery 

To My Friend 

Man 



C. A 



Page 

. 62 
. 63 
. 65 
. 67 
. 69 
. 71 
. 72 
. 73 
. 75 
. 76 
. 77 



Dedication 
To My Mother 

OH, LOVELY woman, in days of joy and 
hours of ease 
Uncertain, restless, hard to please. 
A moment here, a moment there, like quivering 

shade 
As changing as winds that blow o'er hill and 

glade. 
But when pain and sorrow wring the brow, 
An earthly angel thou. 

Oh, lovely woman, so oft in my thoughtless 

years 
Have I forgotten thee, in thy lonely hours of 

tears. 
Oh, God wilt thou forgive? Tonight I feel that 

bitter pain, 
That careless past, that needless shame. 
Oh, that she could stroke my feverish brow, 
That I could feel her angel hand so tender now. 



LOVE'S FIRESIDE LYRICS 



To- 



AS IF a bubbling stream, 
Sprang into flowing 
Your presence found me. 
Through desert sand, I felt the grace, 

Thy love that lightened up my dreary place 
And banished sorrow, that I find no trace 
To thy soul, fate has bound me. 

As if some fragrant flower, 
Burst into blooming. 

Your presence found me. 
Through life's grief and gloom, your smiling 
face 
Has lightened up my dreary place. 
Set my heart with love ablaze, 

Since to thy soul, fate has bound me. 



[I] 



LOVE'S FIRESIDE LYRICS 



Beautiful Annie 

DAYS are weary, 
I can't forget 
Thy lovely face haunts me yet, 

Tho years have passed since we met. 
My beautiful Annie ! 

To dream of thee 

Is to awaken; 
I bid farewell anew, my heart is breaking 

Tho years have passed, I feel forsaken. 
My beautiful Annie ! 

Oh, my heart was anguish-torn, 

That day we did part, 
God alone can know my aching heart, 

My thoughts of thee, the loss such grief 
imparts ! 
My beautiful Annie ! My beautiful Annie 1 

Alone in sadness I recall, 
Still not in shame. 



LOVE'S FIRESIDE LYRICS 

Days I loved, with more than love, still in vain 
Tho years have passed, Oh, share the bitter 
pain, 
My beautiful Annie ! My beautiful Annie ! 

All else is gone, 

In dreams alone 
I see your bright blue eyes ; 

I walk with you under bluer skies 
Where lilies bloom, where memory lies. 
My beautiful Annie ! 

All else is gone, thy love has flown, 

I dream that you regret, 
Tho years have passed, since we met, 

I love you yet, Oh, till my death ! 
My beautiful Annie ! My beautiful Annie ! 



[3] 



LOVE'S FIRESIDE LYRICS 



A Soul's Departure 

HOW dark and dismal the chambers are, 
A mother dwells in rum's foul filt happi- 
ness gone afar. 
See how rum's foul breath kills at last, 
A helpless soul sinking fast. 
A brute, a fiend, a wreck is he, 
The mother of his children, a slave was she. 

Now, on that black draped silent bier, 

Lies a father, to them, to her so dear. 

Dead! for rum's foul sake, so young. 

With all of youth, and life, for rum's foul sake 

so young. 
Oh, how shall we sing his funeral song? 
That his mourning kin may feel their dead did 

no wrong? 
That his kin may feel his soul is where the 

saints belong. 
Ring softly, bells ; ring softly, bells, 
A tale of woe, your music tells. 

[4] 



LOVE'S FIRESIDE LYRICS 

Wretches! You loved Mm for the hours he 

gave; 
You cursed his soul, drove him on to a drunk- 
ard's grave. 
Who dares, now, of you, to tell that God who 

loves him well, 
Fiends, who dares, of you, to stand before God 's 

white throne. 
And deny among you, fiends, he fell? 
Or shed tears of grief to bring him home ? 
Ring softly bells ! Ring softly bells ! 
What grief, what sorrow your music tells. 

Oh, hear their mournful whispers of Nevermore, 
See those weeping friends, grieved by sorrow 

never felt before. 
Wretches, comfort now, a mother's grief, his 

life and bride. 
Ye that brought her grief, cursed his life 
Till that soul within him died. 
Console her now, speaks his God, by you, ye 

fiends of evil tongue. 
By you, who robbed him of health and wealth 
His youth, the joys of life, brot death to him so 
young. 
Ring softly bells ! Ring softly bells ! 
A mournful tale your music tells. 

[S] 



LOVE'S FIRESIDE LYRICS 

Naught but memories, linger to tell 

The sorrow, the grief your music tells. 

Ring softly bells, with soothing chimes, 

To his mourning kin; Oh, tell of their golden 

times. 
Carol, oh, tolling bells, a sweeter lay. 
Mingle her joys, those dreams of her wedding 

day. 
Comfort, Oh, tolling bells, those breaking hearts 
Grieved by sorrow, their loved, their own, who 

forever parts. 
Oh, let thy song dwell in human hearts forever 

more. 
Snatch from the jaws of hell, a hopeless soul 

that God adores 
That floats adown the river of time. 
That hears no more thy silvery chimes. 
Nor thy mournful moaning, thy death-like 

groaning, Oh, tolling bells! 



[6] 



LOVE'S FIRESIDE LYRICS 



The Song of the Lark 

ONCE a woodlark was singing 
In the boughs gently swinging in the 
breezes above. 
In his song sweetly gloating, 
Where notes softly floating from the heavens 
of love. 
Unseen, I stood listening to the bird's joyful 
whistling, 
Till my soul with gladness was stirred, 
Till forgotten was sorrow. 
The cares of the morrow, 
Was lost in the song of the bird. 

In fancy I was roaming, 

In the still purple gloaming, with that lost 
love of mine. 
Whom the angles called Blessed. 
So they bore from this cursed earth, her soul 
so divine, 
To those realms of the heavens, for her soul 
was forgiven. 



LOVE'S FIRESIDE LYRICS 

This was the song of the bird. 
There to dwell free from sorrow, 
Of this earth, and each morrow, 

Told to me in the song of the bird. 

To my soul, came the seeming. 
Pleasant thoughts of one dreaming the fairest 
of dreams 
Back to me came the hours, 
Those lanes and whose flowers we passed by 
the moon's silvery beams. 
In my soul sounds were ringing, 'twas a sweet 
woman singing. 
The sweetest songs ever heard, 
'Twas her angel spirit singing. 
In those boughs gently swinging, 
In the form of a merry fairy bird. 



[8] 



LOVE'S FIRESIDE LYRICS 



, Forsaken 

I LIVE alone in the world of moans 
Since my Evelyn left me. 
Out into the boundless deep my soul was tossed, 
Cast ashore, forever lost. 
Misery mine, forever more. 

Oh, nameless Isle ! Is there with me souls that 
mourn as I? 
Some dying soul as mine, to share the taunts 
of never more? 
Oh Heavenly God ! If Thou art to me, heal my 
heart grief has broken, 
Forgive my ways, words, I may have spoken. 
Oh, take from my soul, that sorrow, a sinful 
world has left me! 

I fancy in dreams, the moon never beams, 

Since my Evelyn left me. 
Out into the boundless deep, my soul a wreck 
drifts into endless dark 
Dashed by sorrow, by grief unknown, alone 
in my frail bark. 
Misery mine forever more. 

[9] 



LOVE'S FIRESIDE LYRICS 

Oh haunted Isle! Is there with me a heart as 
broken ? 
Lips, who such words as I have spoken? 
Oh, God of Love, If Thou art to me, Speak aS I 
would for me ; 
Whisper words of love! speak as I, if I only 
could for me. 
Bring her back ! Oh, God ! The grief that is 
mine to bear, 
Since that precious maiden left me. 

I mourn alone, in my world of moans, 

Since my Evelyn left me. 
Wretched, I damn a God of Love, a fiend from a 
nameless shore 
Wretch! I cried, Why cometh Thou? Her 
friendly love had found me 
To her precious soul has bound me. 

Fiend thou art! a thing of evil, hateful to my 
soul forever more. 
Oh, misery Isle ! Is there with me soul as mine 
forsaken ? 
Who mourn as I, feel the pain of love mis- 
taken? 
Oh, Heavenly God ! if Thou art to me, heal my 
heart forever broken 

[10] 



LOVE'S FIRESIDE LYRICS 

Oh, bring her back ! forgive my ways, words 
I may have spoken ! 
Oh, take from soul, that sorrow a sinful God 
has left me. 

Oh, Heavenly God, bear a moment the grief I 
bear, 
Since my Evelyn left me. 
Vf eather the boundless deep, that endless dark, 
Where my soul, a wreck, drifts alone in that 
frail bark. 
Oh, Heavenly God, mourn as I, as souls as mine 
who mourn forever more. 
Go feel the pain we bear, the curse of an 
earthly God, 
Whose haunts, a nameless shore. 

Oh, would Thou, then damn our souls because 
of human cursing? 
Would thou prepare but Hell, because of fatal 
love rehearsing? 
Oh, God of Old! If Thou art to me, heal my 

heart so sadly broken! 
Oh, take from my aching heart, the lie he left 
me as a token ! 
Oh, God ! The grief that is mine to bear 
Since that precious maiden left me ! 



LOVE'S FIRESIDE LYRICS 



Love AflFairs 

OH, THAT I could write so tender 
Of all that I remember 
In the golden days of yore! 
If I could, to Caroline, I would write a tender 
line; 
To Annie, I would write a score. 
Oh, 'tis her my soul remembers, 
Whether June or bleak December, 
Dearest, to my heart of yore. 

Then, to the radiant Mabel! Ah, no words of 
mine are able 
To tell the beauty of her image within my 
heart. 
Oh, my heart, when she was leaving, 

That can't sense of grieving. 
Or the sadness of the hour we did part ! 

To the radiant Clara! To my lost and lovely 
Clara ! 
My soul would chant a sweet refrain. 

[12] 



LOVE'S FIRESIDE LYRICS 

A song of how her presence found me, 
Of that childish love that bound me. 
Oh, my aching heart, that nearly breaks to 
breathe her name ! 

Oh, may the heavens bless her, God and Angels 
there caress her; 
My childish Clara, so precious to my heart of 
yore. 
Her, whom I dream, is broken hearted, 
Haunted, Oh, poor soul, by faithless love 
departed. 
Wandering sadly as in life forever more. 

Of course, you think it folly, if I'd write about 
dear Molly — 
Even mention that her cheery letter came. 
Go ! Let my heart alone confessing 
No fault of thine, if I am guessing. 
Or, if my foolish self has gone insane ! 

Then suppose, I would mention that it was my 
intention 
To speak of Vivian, so queenly to my heart? 
Well then, go ! If thee I have the seeming 
Of some lonely heart a dreaming, 
Dreading ever that common worry, Oh if we 
part ! 

[13] 



LOVE'S FIRESIDE LYRICS 

Oh, you'd surely think me crazy, if I'd mention 
that a Daisy 
Had cast her anchor in the harbor of my 
heart. 
Oh, I live for her and only, 

And I dream of her when lonely. 
Oh, God, if ever we must part. 

Daisy who? I heart you guessing; Ah! her 
name I'm not confessing. 
But daily she casts anchor in the harbor of 
my heart. 
Oh, I live for her, and only. 

And I dream of her when lonely. 
Oh, my aching heart, if ever we must part ! 



[14] 



LOVE'S FIRESIDE LYRICS 



John an Me 

WE DON'T mean to worry, Jim, 
John ner me. 
A course we aint jealous, ner notMn', see, 
Jest don't like it, poor John an me. 

They all talk about their wonder girls, 

'Cept John an Me. 
Blue eyes, black eyes, golden curls, 

All but John an me. 

Gosh ! an even sech a boy as Jim, 

The girls jest seem to worship him. 

A course we aint jealous ner nothin', see, 

Jest don't like it, poor John an me. 



[15] 



LOVE'S FIRESIDE LYRICS 



To the Rain, the Welcome Rain! 

OH ! HEAR the clatter, the welcome patter 
of the rain ; 
See! the tear-like streaming, with a happy 
meaning, 

Down our window panes. 
Oh I how it thrills us, with gladness fills us, 
For fragrant flowers will bloom again. 

Oh! the summer has been the longest, sure the 
warmest, 
Without rain drops streaming, so hopeful in 
their meaning, 

Down our window panes. 
Oh! Let us be thankful, ever mindful to our 
God for his refreshing rain. 



[i6] 



LOVE'S FIRESIDE LYRICS 



Impressions 

IiDLY I sat one day, 
t Dreaming, passing time away. 
Just to muse, I took a piece of clay 

And fashioned it in countless ways. 
I came again when days were past; 

That bit of clay was hard at last. 
The form I gave it still it bore, 
But I could change that form no more. 

I took a child's life one day 

And gently formed it day by day, 
And moulded it with my power and art 

That tender yielding heart. 
I came again when days were past, 

That childish life had grown fast ; 
He still that early impress bore. 

And I could change it never more. 

Someone spoke a word one day. 
Whether it was meant that way, — 

Still it broke a tender heart; 
Friendship ties it tore apart. 

[17] 



LOVE'S FIEESIDB LYRICS 

He came again and was forgiven, 

! her heart was sadly riven. 
In spite of all, that cruel impress still it bore. 

And he could change it never more. 



[i8] 



LOVE'S FIRESIDE LYRICS 



Annie Marie 

MANY years ago, in a village by the sea, 
Lived a maiden fair, with golden hair, 
By the name of Annie Marie. 
Oh ! her love was true, as the skies were blue, 
The sweetest love the village knew. 
Was that childish love of Annie and me. 
Oh ! how they envied her and me, — 
Really were jealous of her and me, 
There in that village by the sea. 



Oft I think now, in the village by the sea, 
The Angels smiled, and watched o'er her and 
me, 
I often dream they envied her and me. 
As we went to school, then hand in hand, 
Little we cared to understand, 
Life was love, with her and me. 
! the happiest of all was Annie and me 
For they all went envying her and me, — 
Really were jealous of her and me, 
There in that village by the sea. 



LOVE'S FIRESIDE LYRICS 

Then sadness came, as in life, to her and me; 
Shattered the childish dreams of my Annie 
and me; 
Filled those tender eyes of blue 
With sorrow's tears, we never knew. 

0! the sadness of Farewell! pained our 
hearts, I ne'er could tell. 
For life was love with her and me. 
! the happiest of all was Annie and me. 
She lived and loved none else but me. 
And I lived and loved: — still love my 
Annie Marie. 

Tho far removed, I still go back to that village 
by the sea, 
To that maiden fair, with golden hair, 
By the name of Annie Marie. 
Under that sky so blue, to feel her love, still 
fond and true. 
The sweetest love that village knew, 
For no love was since as mine, 
Nor as hers divine, in that village by the sea. 
Or has since lived there, a maid more fair, 
Than My beautiful Annie Marie. 



[20] 



LOVE'S FIRESIDE LYRICS 



My Soul, Oh, My Soul! 

My Soul, Oh, my soul! 
How woulds't thou the morrow meet? 
The crafts of the evil, 
The lusts of the devil, 
The vortex of fashion on life's busy street? 

My soul, oh, my soul ! 
Thou so tender, so frail, as faint as my breath, 

Cans't thou withstand? 

Cans't thou understand? 
This world of sin, that sorrow we call Death? 

My soul, oh my soul! 

Watch and pray, that ye enter not in paths 
hopeless trod. 

Lest ye forget, lest ye forget, 
Thine is Death, eternal Death, 

Oh, my soul, sin not against my God. 



[21] 



LOVE'S FIRESIDE LYRICS 



Around Life*s Corner 

OH, THE present is too gay to be ever thus ! 
Thoughtless meetings, careless greetings, 
Sinful laughing, scornful scoffings. 
Ever on life's busy street. 
Desperate strivings, such contrivings. 
None seem to reach that goal complete. 
Oh, what confusion, such illusions, 
Of worldly wealth to gain, 
Oh, what madness, bitter sadness. 
That world would curse his name in vain. 
Beware ! around life 's corner who waits for us ? 
Some day, somewhere the path must end. 
Reach out Thy hand. Oh God, to me, thy hope- 
less friend. 

See the curse, Oh, sinful world, the crimes of 

human lust ! 
That day a Mother long remembers. 
Whether sunny June, or bleak Decembers 
Seeking there so haggard grown. 
Her, thy cruel worlds must own, 
Ever on life's busy street. 

[22] 



LOVE'S FIRESIDE LYRICS 

Oh, she just passed around life's corner, 
Though, gone for years and years, 
While angels smile, sin seeks in vain, 
To scorn her life complete. 
Oh, not a line has come, or trace is found 
To cease, to cheer a Mother's flow of tears. 
Beware ! around life 's corner who waits for us ? 
Some day, somewhere thy path must end, 
Reach out thy hand, to a God of Love, my dear- 
est friend. 



[23] 



LOVE'S FIRESIDE LYRICS 



L 



Simple Confession 

IFE is real, death is nigh, 
I pray for saving grace. 
Too long I dwelt in sin to die 
And meet Him face to face. 



Life is short, the heaven far, 

I seek that saving grace, 
My pleading lips proclaim the gates ajar 

That I may see Him face to face. 

A vacant chair, the stars still shine. 

The angels beckon me! 
Oh, have I lived life 's little day 

To cross in peace that treacherous sea? 



[^4] 



LOVE'S FIRESIDE LYRICS 



Once Upon a Time 

ONCE upon a time, the wild flowers grew, 
So tenderly 
Under the open sky, so content, I barefoot went, 

Never dreamed what sorrow meant, 
For life was love so tenderly. 
Oh, the sweetest music was the rustle of the 
meadow grass 
Lord, was I of all that passed, 
Then my heart, as now, no sadness knew. 

Ah, too soon those golden days were past. 

So merrily. 
Sorrow came, one day to her and I, 

Out there beneath that open sky, 
Oh, somehow, it seems I '11 never know just why, 

For life was love so tenderly. 
There where the birds sang the latest, 

She whispered "yes" my love the sweetest, 
Promised me. Oh, my aching heart, till in death 
we part at last. 



[2S] 



LOVE'S FIRESIDE LYRICS 

Oh, those golden days I can't forget somehow, 

'Tis a dream so painfully. 
When the wild flowers of spring awaken, 

My heart is but the heart of one forsaken, 
For life was love, so tenderly. 
There where the wild flowers grew. 

There where the birds sang their latest 
She whispers "yes" my love the sweetest. 

Oh, my aching heart, that I could see her now. 



26] 



LOVE'S FIRESIDE LYRICS 



The Queenly Dead 

SHE sleeps, my love doth sleep, 
Stars of heaven their watch shall keep, 
Winter snows shall softly fall 
While in death she sleeps, my world, my all. 

She sleeps, my love doth sleep. 

Let voices praise, their hearts her memory keep, 

Pass ye, in silence her lowly bier, 

Then sing with praise her Lord may hear. 

Under the chilly starry sky. 
Dig her grave and let her lie. 
Then mourn with me, my love so fair. 
With death upon her eyes, still life upon her 
hair. 

Oh, let bells, I pray, her death proclaim. 
My love so fair, the angels named. 
Then mourn with me, till death, my love fair. 
With death upon her eyes, still life upon her 
hair. 

[27], 



LOVE'S FIRESIDE LYRICS 



Longing 

(The First Poem) 

OH, YE who feel that grief and pain, 
My tears can measure, 
Her death, thy love, the angels named. 
Know the loss of treasure. 

Oh, ye who mourn in vain as I, 

With sad emotion 
Her sainted form in yonder sky. 

Who loved with fond devotion. 

Oh, ye that my longing know, 

My tears can measure, 
Ye that feel the stings of death below. 

Know the loss of treasure. 

Oh, my heart is anguish torn, 

Share with me your pleasure, 
Ye who felt as I, the joys of brigter mom, 

My tears and grief can measure. 



[28] 



LOVE'S FIRESIDE LYRICS 



Longing 

(The Second Poem) 

A WEEK ago 
In her merry eyes 
The fairies played. 
Danced and smiled, 
Oh, that sweet child 
Made my life a dream. 

A week ago. 

Those fairies played, 

With us beneath the shade. 

Danced and laughed at love we made, 

For we were the merriest two below. 

Oh, they laughed and danced, they never 

dreamed 
Love as ours could perish so. 

A week ago, 

In her bright blue eyes, 

Love dwelt so merrily. 

Oh, the fairies laughed and played 



LOVE'S FIRESIDE LYRICS 

Beneath that oak tree shade, 

At love so bashful made. 

Oh, they laughed and danced, they never 

dreamed 
Of sorrow, meant for her and me. 
Thus our love smiled and died so merrily. 
Oh, my heart, if she should come back to me. 



[30] 



LOVE'S FIRESIDE LYRICS 



Longing 

(The Third Poem) 

OH, what's this careless world to me, 
With that chance of forgetting. 
My sighs and regretting, 
Sad dreams and my fretting, 
That so painfully clings now to me. 
Ah, my heart it is breaking, 
In this hour so forsaken, 
I see, still to awake just mistaken. 
For my Mary is gone, forever from me. 

Oh, what's the twinkle of the stars to me? 
With that chance of mine dreaming. 
Of love as hers, as pure and esteeming, 
As fond as hers, still to me only seeming. 

Oh, how painfully the thought of her speaks to 
me. 

Oh, I care not for their shining. 
In this sad hour of divining, 
In this world sadly pining. 
For my Mary is gone forever from me. 

[31] 



LOVE'S FIRESIDE LYRICS 

Oil, what's those silvery chimes to me? 
When I hear sadly toUing, 
Muffled tones ceaseless rolling, 
Thoughts of her tomb, her form slowly 
mouldering, 
Oh, God, I cry, by her side, let me slumber, 
forever let me be. 
Oh, thou so alone, and forsaken, 
Know the pain of awakening. 
Feel as I, thy heart nearly breaking, 
For thy Mary, as mine, is gone forever from 
thee. 



[32] 



LOVE'S FIRESIDE LYRICS 



The Bird's Nest 

POOR little thing! But Oh, thy sorrow is 
not greater than mine, 
For I remember much longer. 
Oh, tiny wee songster, for thou hast forgotten 

it now, 
Thy chirping so lonely, that haunts me still only, 
As I think of thee and thy nest 
I buried so deep with the plow. 

'Twas with eyes that saw not. Oh, God I regret, 

But lovely bird, believest thou me ? 

Oh, this guilt, from my guilty soul, relievest 

thou me! 
For my heart it is breaking, as I think of thee 

now, 
I still see thee so lonely, seeking thy lost and this 

only; 
Oh, lovely bird, that my thoughts were as thine, 
For thou hast forgotten it now ! 



[33] 



LOVE'S FIRESIDE LYRICS 



Wither Thou Goest 

WHITHER thou goest, matters not, 
Still my soul dreams of thee . 
Sailing o'er life's stormy sea, 
Golden days are haunting me. 
Oh, my heart, so sad in me. Peace be still! it 
matters not. 

Whither thou goest, matters not, 

Oh, my friend, think not such of me, 

A hopeless wreck, on life's stormy sea, 
The sinful past haunting me. 
Oh, let thy heart so glad in thee, breathe a 
prayer, it matters not. 

Whither thou goest, matters not. 

Still my love for thee shall friendly be, 

Sailing o'er life's stormy sea, 
I '11 pray that God watch o 'er thee. 
Oh, my heart so sad in me, breathes a prayer 
to bring you back to me. 



[34] 



LOVE'S FIRESIDE LYRICS 



To Hazel 

T RE CALL thy winning ways 
In love's old songs those golden days; 
Sweet before me, seems to rise 
Yonr smiling face, your bright blue eyes, 
I loved so then — to see no more. 

Down life's endless path of gloom, 
I bear the loss, as final as the tomb, 
Still fair as then, there seems to rise 
That golden past, my paradise 
I loved and lost, — to see no more. 



[35] 



LOVE'S FIRESIDE LYRICS 



To Annie 

THY beauty is to me, Annie, 
Like the Angels to the heavens divine. 
In their beauty I compare thee. 
In their sweetness I adore thee, 
! to me, thou are likewise divine. 

Thy presence is to me, Annie, 
Like sunlight on walls long deserted, 
Queenly thou art to me, so divine, 
As cheering is thy presence to that sad heart 
of mine. 

Ah ! Thy love is to me so heavenly pure, 
I could carol so madly ; 
Daily and constant, I am dreaming of thee, 
Sorrows that haunt me that leave me so sadly. 
Turns into gladness while dreaming of thee. 



[36] 



LOVE'S FIRESIDE LYRICS 



Loves Deserted Castle 

AH! broken are the golden cords, those 
friendly ties, 
Her love for thee has flown, 
Thy dreams of golden bells, resemble now, a 

funeral toll 
Repeating ever, in mournful, muffled tones. 
Cease thy taunt, thou God of Love, alone 111 

walk life's thorny paths 
In spite of sorrows mine alone. 
Dearer than She, no women could be, still her 

love was not love^ 
Seeking ever to claim its own. 
Then must I, count life's numbered days, as 

grief and pain? 
Is it fair to pine for a woman 's love that proved 

in vain? 

Ah, let me forget, let me forget ! 

Ah! deserted is thy castle of love, thy golden 

dreams shattered lie, 
A woman's love for thee has flown. 

U7] 



LOVE'S FIRESIDE LYKICS 

Cease that taunt, 0, God of Love ! Have I not 

burden enough, to bear? 
Why haunt my soul, with dreams of my Lady 

Fair? 
0! take from my shattered soul, thy stings of 

Never More ! 
! take her image within my heart, depart ! Be 

gone forever more ! 
There at the turn in life's endless path, seeking 

its mate. 
Wretched, she left me, scornfully there, closed 

the gate 
Then must I, take less than her own undoing ? 
Must I grieve ever that loss? My disastrous 

wooing ? 
Still, would I scorn her now, tho her love for me 

has flown? 
Ah ! Never ! ! as fair she would bloom in 

my garden of love 
Again would I love with a love no mortal has 

known. 
! could she see her tiny deserted castle now, 
Would she regret ? Would she regret ? 



[38] 



LOVE'S FIRESIDE LYRICS 



To the Flowers of May ! 

DEAR purple flowers that wake with the 
spring, 
To bloom in their beauty when birds learn 
to sing, 
! tell me who loves thy Welcome to sing 1 
Dear common flowers of May. 

0! forsaken thou art! No voices are blended, 
Glad hands they're none, no Welcome 
extended, 
! no praises are given, no Welcome intended, 
To thee dear flowers of May. 

Thousands I know, long to destroy thee. 

Pew are the souls that long to enjoy thee; 
Countless there are so eager to annoy thee, 

Too common thou art, dear flowers of May. 

Dear purple flowers, too common thou art, 

To comfort the dying, the loved one's death 
sadly parts. 
Too common to comfort such greif, death's call 
imparts 
! so sadly I carol dear flowers of May. 

[39] 



LOVE'S FIRESIDE LYRICS 

0! list to my song, thy welcome unknown, 

I praise from heart, tho others have flown. 
Thy welcome in Spring Time ! I carol alone, 
0! from my heart I sing of thy beauty, 
dear flowers of May. 



[40] 



LOVE'S FIRESIDE LYRICS 



To a Dying Bluebird 

OH ! YOU wounded little feathered thing, 
"Who had heart to break thy tiny wing? 
Whose life and love was so in vain 
To feel revenge that thou art slain? 

Oh! dying little feathered thing, 
Would thou a lover's message bring? 
Was thy song, her love, her lovely name ? 
Then stilled by death, quite all in vain? 

Oh, lovely bird, blue feathered thing, 

That I could hear thy song that thou would sing ! 

Oh, that I could hear, ere death claims thy tiny 

frame, 
Her lovely voice, her sainted name ! 



[41] 



LOVE'S FIRESIDE LYRICS 



To a Little Mother 

FAREWELL, little mother, where e'er you 
go. 
Dear to our hearts you grow and grow. 
Long are the years that lie between, 
As fair your friendly face is seen, 
As dear to our hearts you'll always seem. 
Heaven bless, little woman, thy path below, 
With love and flowers row on row. 
Oh, long are the years that we are apart! 
To think of thee, stirs aching hearts. 
Thy leaving still, causes tears to start. 
Farewell, little Mother, where e'er you go! 
Dear to our hearts you'll grow and grow. 



[42] 



LOVE'S FIRESIDE LYRICS 



Blinda 

I MANAGED, somehow, to meet her, 
Ah, no girls have I met that are neater, 
Really I think she's a wee bit sweeter, 
That maid by the name o' Blinda. 

Of course, beside me, was some other feller, 

A fearin' I spose, I'd tell her 
Love, I spose, well maybe she thinks he's sweller, 

That maid by the name o' Blinda. 

Oh, somehow it seems, I can't forget her, 
Depart from my heart, I won't let her. 

Ah, in my dreams she's sweet as the day I met 
her, 
That maid by the name o' Blinda. 



[43] 



LOVE'S FIRESIDE LYRICS 



The Wreck 

f 

WRECKED is my ship of gold! 
Proudest of the sea, 
Built for her and me, 

Life a dream it seems to be, 
For no happier two sailed that wondrous sea. 

A wreck is my ship of gold! 

The cause, my love and devotion. 
No other I know for this commotion, 

Than words of love, or foolish devotion, 
Oh, my heart, when I think of golden days that 
used to be. 

Such was the wreck of my ship of gold. 
That sailed so merrily. 
Built for her and me. 

Life a dream it seemed to me, 
Oh, my aching heart, when I think of happy 
days we put out to sea. 



[44] 



LOVE'S FIRESIDE LYRICS 



A Word, a Smile! 

IT WAS only a smile, 
So thoughtless in giving; 
But it scattered the night 
Like morning light, 
And made the day worth living. 

Within that soul, it softly fell; 

A heavenly thought, forever dwells. 

It wove a net of colors of light and love, 

And the Angels smile as they watch above 

And yet so thoughtless in the giving. 

It was only a word. Oh, just a word 

So tenderly spoken. 

Yet not in vain, 

For it banished pain 

Of a heart so sadly broken. 

Within that troubled soul, a blessing fell. 
Celestial beauty seems to dwell. 
It wove within that heart, a friend's true love. 
And the Angels smile as they watch above. 
Oh, it was only a word! Oh, just a word so 
tenderly spoken! 

[45] 



LOVE'S FIRESIDE LYRICS 



That Old Sweetheart of Mine! 

1HAVE just to close my eyelids, 
Comes her angel spirit divine, 
Joys that bound me, again surround me. 

Soothes that aching heart of mine. 
I rise to meet her, yet so slowly. 

Her so strange like future years; 
Oh, to greet in dreams, her living presence, 
Fills my eyes with parting tears ! 

Revived again are dreams of childhood. 

Blossoms in my soul, a thrill divine; 
Oh, who can tell the pleasure of her presence. 

The joy within that heart of mine ! 
Again the moonlight and the starlight 

Beams on through leaves, wee breezes stir 
All the wonders of my manhood 

Moves again in dreams of her ! 

Oh, of all my earthly friends beloved, 

She was best, — to me divine. 
A wee bit nearer, a wee bit dearer 

To that restless heart of mine. 

[46] 



LOVE'S FIRESIDE LYRICS 

Oh, my soul enjoys the realms of Heaven, 
Dreaming dreams of her divine; 

Greets again the living presence 
Of that old Sweetheart of Mine! 



[47] 



LOVE'S FIRESIDE LYRICS 



To- 



OH, SO childish thou art ! 
Still the love of my heart 
Speaks for thee, seeks for thee ; ^ 
Still the misery is mine to keep, the secret from 
worlds hid deep. 
Love so fair, the fondest yet, hid there till 
my death. 

Oh, so childish thou art 1 
Still the love of my heart 
Whispers to me so dear, ''Stay thou near." 
Misery world, hast thou no shame? Jealous of 
me to breathe her name ? 
Envy dreams of her, so empty, lost in vain ? 

Oh, lovely maid ! Thou who so childish art ! 
Still the love of my heart. 

So stained in me, seeks in vain for thee 
'er land and sea, to bring you back to me ; 
Whispers softly, can't you hear? "Precious 
maiden stay thou near V 

[48] 



LOVE'S FIRESIDE LYRICS 



In Search of Quiet 

AH, POOR soul, what seekest thou? 
Quiet? 
Oh, then follow me, then follow me. 
And you shall see that we will be 
Both so free, you can't deny it; 
Nothing there but wintry weather, 

Neither man, beast, bird or feather. 
Here you shall see, you and me can live in 
peace together. 

If thou would thy companions shun. 

Try it! 
Oh, come with me, do come with me. 
And you shall see, no enemy, 
Just that taunt of quiet. 
Nothing there for love has flown. 

Neither man, beast, or bird is known, 
Here you shall see, you and me can live and 
call our home. 



[49] 



LOVE'S FIRESIDE LYRICS 



The Sinner's Prayer 

GREAT God, have mercy on me, a sinner in 
Thy sight, 
Thou knowest Satan will conquer alone, I '11 lose 

in the fight. 
For years I have wandered the deserts of life, 

Daily fighting sin and its strife, 
Till at last, hope has vanished, soon the foe will 
control. 
Oh, Jehovah ! I pray, come to me in this hour 
to save 
My tortured soul from Death, and the gloom of 
the grave! 
Guide me on from this day till the heavens 
In glory has shone; 
Till the Angels in chorus shall welcome me home. 
Where pardon is free for my sinful soul. 

Oh, the storms of life grow strong, the winds 
never weary. 

The night is dark, so long and dreary. 
Sadly I wander the deserts of life. 

Over burdened with sorrow, sin and its strife, 

[50] 



LOVE'S FIRESIDE LYRICS 

Seeking that happiness Satan has stole. 

Great God ! Let thy light ever shine 
All the days of this sinful life of mine, 

While seeking that place of redeeming grace 
For my sinful, sinful soul. 
Oh, lead me on, till life is gone, 

Till I have reached that celestial goal! 



[51] 



LOVE'S FIRESIDE LYRICS 



Her Letter 

AH, MY heart laughs so merrily, 
God bless her, I muttered. 
Sorrow, that moment took fairy wings; 
Joy leaps from my soul like tiny springs, 
Forgotten now seems other painful things. 
Oh, so madly my heart fluttered ! 

Alas, Oh, my aching heart ! that page is read ! 
Oh, lovely maid, what wrong have I done? I 

muttered. 
Returns to my heart, so unprepared those cruel 

stings 
Grief to my helpless soul, returns on fairy wings. 
Returns to stay ? Oh, God ! forbid it not, such 

misery clings, 
That pain, that grief, no words have uttered. 

'Tis not the beginning or the end I dread, 
She wrote, I know, but words of pain, even so, 

I muttered — 
I can forget and forgive such sort o' things, 

[52] 



LOVE'S FIRESIDE LYUICS 

Begin anew, like birds that learn to sing, 
Teach her heart to dream of me, a sweeter song 

she '11 love to sing, 
That brings back to heart, joy no words have 

uttered. 



[53] 



LOVE'S FIRESIDE LYRICS 



To- 



WHO ever thought I'd write to rhyme, 
Days so dear, to me a golden time 
The day I met you. 
Who ever thought I'd write or try, 
Neither thy nor I. 
To understand the reason why 
We too soon must say good-bye. 
Neither they nor I. 

Folks all say and know I love you — 
Hear me talking constant of you. 
And the day I met you. 
Strange they say, and so do I, 
But none seem to understand just why, 
We too soon must say good-bye, 
Neither they nor I. 



[54] 



LOVE'S FIRESIDE LYRICS 



To the Water-fall 

OH, A listener thou art long, 
To that blushing lover's song. 
Thou a judge of countless wooing. 
From thy leafy haunts have heard their cooing. 
Saw there, thoughtless lovers carve that bridge 

above thee 
Names of those, their own, because they love thee, 
Proud thou art, dancing waters. 
Leaping on with naught a care nor thought of 

me. 

Ah, dost recall an autumn day ? a bashful stroll- 
ing, 

Departed days, when lovers watched thee cease- 
less rolling? 

Even so, reveal no stumbling words, I may have 
spoken 

To those that walk thy bridge, or since there 
whose hearts were broken. 

Oh, dancing water, Thou garden of love, as to us 
a heaven seeming, 

[55] 



LOVE'S FIRESIDE LYRICS 

Pure thou art, still in thy fall, as in mine, what 
thought hast thou of thy redeeming? 

Oh, that my soul, was leaping onward and up- 
ward in pureness like thee. 

Pray tell my soul with longing laden, 

If since, there walked thy bridge, a fairer 
maiden ? 

Oh, tell my soul, thou knowest well if a maiden's 
thoughts of me are never, 

Thinkest thou, my thoughts revealed cause 
friendly ties to sever? 

0, dancing water, thou judge of love's undying 
bliss, 

Pray tell my soul if scorned I be, were I to mur- 
mur this? 

0, that she were my laughing, blushing bride to 
be. 

0, the days to me are sad and lonely, memories 

old, now haunt me only. 
Oft in dreams I see again that golden gloaming. 
As of yore we gaze, down at thy water's foaming 
Leaping onward, from thy moonlit leafy bowers, 
From thy fragrant haunts of blooming flowers 
Again to see thee, in thy wilder, wildest dances, 

[56] 



LOVE'S FIRESIDE LYRICS 

Leaping ever, sleeping never, with no thought of 

idle glancers. 
Leaping on, with naught a care, nor thought of 

her or me. 

0, from thy heaven, thy dear native bowers. 

From thy haunts of rare blooming flowers 

Do I still hear in memory, thy voice sweeter 

singing. 
Thy rushing and gushing, thy waters sweeter 

ringing 
Under moonlit leafy branches. 
See thy prancing, leaping dances, proud I claim 

of love's golden fancies 
That so mournfully carols its anthem of longing, 

now only to me. 



[57] 



LOVE'S FIRESIDE LYRICS 



Memories 

OFT under the light of moon and stars, 
"When slumber's chains have bound me, 
Whispers sweet a voice through life's prison 
bars 
The joys of life and love that once had found 
me. 
Oh, the joy to wander there again the flowery 
fields of long ago, 
That lovely past when my heart such pain 
did know, 
Ah, mine alone, down here below. 

Queenly she stands* in the cottage door. 

Waving still her Angel hand as in days of 
yore. 

Sweetly I hear her calling me 
Far out across life's troubled sea. 

Answers I, in the stillness of a dream. 
Her lovely voice divine. 

Oh, Mother mine. Oh, Mother Mother mine. 

[58] 



LOVE'S FIRESIDE LYRICS 

Oh, in spite of this life the gay moods of living, 
That thot of fame, that pride, and hate for 
giving, 
Returns again my humble cot, that simple 
dwelling 
On the present, on the past, on the future, on 
the last ever telling. 
Wondrous I hear the cattle lowing in the lane, 
My Father old and gray wandering wistful 
through the golden grain. 
Distinctly I hear their merry laugh, the patter 
of restless feet, 
Kind friends I love who in dreams alone I 
only meet. 
That since have flown to worlds unknown from 
earth sadly riven. 
To dwell in peace, beside God in heaven. 



[59] 



LOVE'S FIRESIDE LYRICS 



A Day In December 

THE day is sad and dreay, 
Mournfully falls from a saddened sky, 
A rain, like tears when Death was nigh, 
Painfully then, as we it seems to cry. 

"Within my heart, 'tis sad and weary. 
Life, as the day is bleak and dreary. 
In vain there seems that parting knell, 
That muffled echo, of some funeral bell. 

Oh, God I fain would close these mournful 

pages. 
Muse on sunnier scenes, than those that rages. 
Still, I would calmly say ' ' Thy wiU be done on 

earth to me," 
My prayers, my hopes are all with thee. 



[60] 



LOVE'S FIRESIDE LYRICS 



To My Friend 
C. A. B. 

HEAVEN I believe has blessed me, 
So tenderly now caressed me, 
From its wondrons fountain sent 
That precious gift has lent 
'Till Death, the very end; 
Love I fain would know, seeks me where I go, 
Within thy heart my friend. 

Oft in my childish prayers below. 

When my heart such pain did undergo. 
Spoke I only of such a friend to know. 

Lo ! from its wondrous fountain the heaven 
sent, 
God in his mercy did consent, 

'Till Death, the very end; 
Love I long to know, seeks me where I go, 
Within thy heart my friend. 



[6i] 



LOVE'S FIRESIDE LYRICS 



Come Gentle Spirit 

OH, BUILD gentle spirit within my soul, 
Mansions more stately while the years 
roll 
There let me dwell so free from all evil power. 
That seeks to lure me astray each day and hour. 

Come gentle spirit, Oh, comfort my soul 
While the dangers of life like sea billows roll 
Oh, come ere Satan has taught me to believe, 
The ways of the wicked, the ways to deceive. 

Build gentle spirit, a home of the blest, 
Moulding my soul for the heavens to rest, 
Oh, build gentle spirit, within my soul 
Mansions more stately while the years roll. 



[62] 



LOVE'S FIRESIDE LYRICS 



Yesterday 

YESTERDAY in mj heart, a fairy summer 
dwelt, 
Merry as the birds and flowers was the joy I 

felt. 
Ah, like their fairy notes, my cares did float 
Oft o'er the scenes I'd gloat, while in peace I 

float 
In my tiny boat, o'er life's troubled sea. 
June-like weather was, in my heart from cares 

apart, 
The storms of life. Ah, ne'er could harm my 

boat and me. 

Starry skies were in my heart, a sun-set glow at 
eventide, 

A wondrous bliss, mine alone no sadness could 
divide. 

Ah, no world was half so fair, not a sigh nor 
care, 

Not a moment of despair, love and flowers blos- 
somed everywhere. 

[63] 



LOVE'S FIRESIDE LYRICS 

Smoothly o'er life's wondrous tide, my boat doth. 

glide, 
Winds that blow, oft bring back fair dreams to 

me 
Those golden days when we put out to sea. 

Alas, and thus ! Oh, cruel world, I fain would 

know. 
Why dreams are vain. Ah! lie buried deep in 

December snow. 
Lo, as sudden as when a storm in winter starts, 
The grief Death imparts, or when fondest must 

part, 
Fell those piercing words upon my bleeding 

heart. 
Oh, my aching heart, 'tis grief to dream that 

dream 
When life seemed an endless smile, 
Those golden days, that lovely past lost this 

lonely while. 



[64] 



LOVE'S FIRESIDE LYRICS 



The Pathless Woods 

THERE is pleasure in the pathless woods, 
Music so inspiring to my soul. 
Oh, with the eagerness of a child 
I east aside life's coat of care, 
Devour the beauty of God the wondrous fair. 

Beneath some shady oak I love to lie, 

Fathom there a blue and cloudless sky 

To dream of days gone by. 

Oh, within such golden realms fancy takes me. 

On that far distant shore gently wakes me, 

There to see familiar faces. 

There to greet old friends of mine. 

Oh, the heaven is mine! the joy of soul, 

That I, at last could meet you. 

Oh, the joy Dear heart ! 'Tis God divine, 

That brings me here within these golden walls 

That I, again could greet you, 

Oh, thou departed one divine. 

[65] 



LOVE'S FIRESIDE LYRICS 

A year ago! And it scarcely seems, 

That all through the wintry snow 

We bore thy lifeless form, to darkly tombs below, 

Oh, the grief by death was then but ours to 

know 
What pain we bear with the waking of our 

dreams. 
' ' Oh, God ' ' we cried, ' ' Why was it so ? That thou 

dids't call we scarcely knew, 
That he should go, who like a flower among us 

grew. ' ' 

Hark! Tis the voice of loved ones calling me, 

A roar of laughter like some tide far out at sea. 

Oh, my aching heart, to wake and find a heaven 
fair has flown. 

Oh, the pain within my heart, to gaze into that 
wondrous blue. 

To fathom there, to understand a mighty God, 
to know as we are known. 

Oh, the pain I feel as dreams take tiny wings 
forever and aye. 

But Oh, my soul was nearer heaven than yester- 
day. 



[66] 



LOVE'S FIRESIDE LYRICS 



The Fairy Ship 

LO, FROM this sinful earth a sainted soul 
has flown, 
Soon where God and Angels dwell, 
Beyond all sorrow, that sadness of farewell. 
Oh, we that loved Alas ! our breaking hearts. 
Oh, God 'tis grief we bear this sudden hour 
As we gaze today, on him asleep in Christ a 
welcome flower. 

How beautiful there, in death he lies how fair, 
'Tis heaven to me God to gaze these moments 

o'er 
In spite of grief that pain of heart forever more ; 
Something immortal seems to rise his voice that 

beckons me. 
Speaks to me of worlds unknown, the joys of 

his eternity. 

He rests in peace, he rests the blessed dead, 
Soon beyond our doubts and fears, 
Beyond this sorrow and vale of tears. 

[67] 



LOVE'S FIEESIDE LYRICS 

Sail on ! Oh, tiny ship, fear not the dangers of 

the blast 
Speed on! Oh, fairy ship o'er life's troubled 

sea; 
'Tis thee we wait ! Our hope, God is Thee, 

our trust is all with Thee. 



|68] 



LOVE'S FIRESIDE LYRICS 



For All Eternity 

OVER life's pastures, I wandered in childish 
dreams, 
Never thinking of my soul to save, 
Happy was I, never a moment of worry I gave. 
Never thot for a moment of entering my grave. 
Only hope for the time when school was out, 
With my comrades, with a merry shout, 
Down in that pasture, God's plan a pool, 
To refresh our minds of weary lessons of school. 
Oh ! that now ! God grant, I could feel as then, 

so free from sin. 
That since, has scared my helpless soul. 

For all Eternity! For all Eternity! 

Thus from our childish years, we feeble grow, 
Gone, from our lives is that happy childish glow. 
Now ! Comes that thot of soul, amid life's wintry 
cold and snow. 

For all Eternity ! For all Eternity ! 
Oh, how weary we are, at the journey's end. 
Reach out Thy hand, Oh ! God to me Thy help- 
less friend, 

[69] 



LOVE'S FIRESIDE LYRICS 

Grant Oh ! God, tho even me, Thy promised rest 
Thy wondrous heaven, that home of thine own 
blest 

For all Eternity ! For all Eternity ! 

Oh! what have I accomplished, while here on 

earth ? 
What good have I done ? Oh ! what am I worth ? 
I have done nothing wrong, men caU crime, 
For happy yet, thotless I lived all the time. 
In spite this be true! I prayed that God my 

wrongs forgive 
To remember not, the past, the careless years I 

lived. 
Hark ! ! List to the songs of heaven, the 

Angels beckon me, 
"Weep not, dear kin, pass in silence my lowly 

bier 
Oh ! sing with praise that my Lord may hear. 
For my soul is saved ! Thank God 'tis saved ! 
For all Eternity ! Yea, for all Eternity ! 



[70] 



LOVE'S FIRESIDE LYRICS 



A Dream 

TANGLED in thoughts of love and childhood, 
Grolden days, that wondrous wildwood 
Oh, so weary am I, 
Dazed by that constant thought of you, 
Weary I wonder in life's rain and dew. 
Do I blush? Ah, to remember in love we could 

agree ? 
When you Dear child, gave such thoughts for 

me. 
Oh, how my poor heart does cry, 
As I still lean on that old gate and sigh. 
Wondering if ever, pray ask me never the reason 

why. 
Oh, my heart is pierced through and through. 
Crazed by that constant thot of you. 



[71] 



LOVE'S FIRESIDE LYRICS 



To My Friend 

Mrs. A. C. A. 

ONE little kindness, Two little kindness 
Sooths my aching heart. 
Ah! so little to make us glad, 
And so little to make us sad. 
Oh ! may God in heaven, teach thy soul to know, 
His love and kindness here below. 
Then my soul, with thee shall find that golden 

end, 
By the wonders of your song My friend. 

One little kindness, Two little kindness, 

Brings heaven to my soul. 

Oh! so little to banish sorrow. 

Off today and off to-morrow. 

Words of wisdom, words of power, oft some 

wonder gain, 
Still, 'Tis words of love and tender kindness, 
That has power to banish pain. 
Oh! from thy wondrous sonnet, let my soul 

freely lend. 
Rejoice in that song of heaven, within thy heart 

tny Friend. 

[72] 



LOVE'S FIRESIDE LYRICS 



My Haunted Castle 

AH, HERE I build my lordly castle 
That castle of my dreams, 
Here are the birds and flowers, the sunny hours, 

All the beauty of God it seems. 
"Here," I cried, ''I'll take my ease. 

Beyond am I the sight of tears, what care I 
for these? 
That world that sinned, and sorrowed since 
below, 
How peaceful the days shall come and go." 

But — Lo, into my wicked heart a vision came. 
The hungry Poor all my strength in vain. 

A stranger stands, before my lordly gate,, 
Begging alms, how small or great. 

"And Oh," he cried, "For a heart to cheer, 
Still thou, who hath boundless store turns me 
empty here, 

Gives naught, a care, a sigh nor tear." 

[73] 



LOVE'S FIRESIDE LYRICS 

"Cease" I cried. TVas but my voice that 
echoed o'er 
My haunted chamber, that here I opened wide 
the door. 
''Gone" still lingers there the tender memories 
of a dream, 
Within my sunlit castle now, God and Angels 
seem; 
Dwells within that cheering thought "The 
suffering of the Poor," 
And love and kindness entwines at will about 
the castle door. 

Secluded still, stands my wondrous castle, 

That castle of my dreams, 
Here are the birds and flowers, the sunny hours, 

All the beauty of God it seems. 
Still within that house of misery. 
Rules supreme the Christ who died on 
Calvary 
Lo, and now a welcome inn, for the hungry and 
the poor. 
Swings wide the tiny castle door. 
To the world that sinned, and sorrowed since 
below, 
Oh, how peaceful are the days that come and 
go. 

[74] 



LOVE'S FIRESIDE LYRICS 



Just Be Cheery 

WHEN life seems sad and weary, 
. And the days are bleak and dreary 
Let not thyself be complaining, 

For as showers lasts this dismal raining 
Human sorrow lasts so long 
Why grieve when things go wrong? 
Just be Cheery. 

Don't let trouble set your soul to pining, 

Beneath those clouds God's love is shining 
That lights your soul to that celestial goal. 
Then don't be w^eary when the days are bleak 
and dreary. 

These days are never long. 
Death comes to both weak and strong, 
Just be Cheery. 



[75] 



LOVE'S FIRESIDE LYRICS 



To My Friend 
G. V. C. 

JUNETIME and the birds and flowers oft 
remind me 
Of the golden days of long ago, 
Dreaming dreams of you Dear heart they find 
me 
Mourning love so lost, that now I fain would 
know. 
Ah, something in your lovely eyes there was. 
That seemed to speak, that worried so my 
restless heart 
That painted as the artist would that picture, 
When we part 
Still in spite why should I rave ? All I knew 
because ; 
Yet strange it seems, so oft in dreams. Oh some- 
thing real there was 
Something seems to keep us near, and oft I 
shed a tear. 
Because ^ — Well, just Because. 



[76] 



LOVE'S FIRESIDE LYRICS 



Man 

ONCE my eyes beheld him, I heard his voice, 
He that came forth like a fragrant flower, 
Ah, he that lived, and loved in spite of fears of 
This fleeting hour; 

With naught a care, nor thought of his silent 
bower, 

Even as you and I. 

Death like a shadow o'er him came. 

So, man lieth down in spite the ghost is given, 

Oh, that thou wouldst hide him there in darkly 

tombs 
So sadly riven. 
*^0h, Man" I cried, "Where is he without that 

hope of Heaven?" 

Even as you and I. 

Seeing his steps were numbered, dost thou not 
Regard his sin? 

That hopeless man born of women who tarried 
not, 

[77] 



LOVE'S FIRESIDE LYRICS 

Whose dajs were few? 

Oh, turn from him, God, that he might rest 

in peace, 
He who like some flower grew. 
That he might earn eternal bliss, that wondrous 

joy, 
That once he knew ; 

Even as you and I. 



[78] 



